Construction worker convicted of raping teen girl jailed for nine years

Andrew Blackman, 32, was Wednesday sentenced to serve nine years imprisonment for raping a 14-year-old girl in 2021.

Blackman, a construction worker from Linden, Region 10 was sentenced by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court.

Last month, Blackman confessed to engaging in sexual penetration with the victim between September 10 and 11, 2021.

Blackman is known to the victim and her family. During the period in question, Backman took the teen to an abandoned building and raped her. Blackman was caught by the victim’s family and he was arrested by police.

Justice Kissoon, while delivering his sentencing remarks, said that he considered the psychological trauma the incident caused the victim.

The Judge also considered that Blackman breached the victim’s trust. However, the Judge said that Blackman took responsibility for his actions at the first available opportunity.

Blackman was represented by Teriq Mohammed. The state was represented by prosecutors Cicelia Corbin, Caressa Henry, and Paneeta Persaud.